Back to School!

My two school-age children headed back to class last week. Right off the bat, my second-grader was told that she is expected to read for at least twenty minutes a night. It would be her first homework assignment. But it came with a tangible reward. For every 200 minutes read, the teacher will give student a book of his or her own to keep.

Now my daughter can't wait to do her "homework" every night. Sometimes, she even tackles in on the bus. All thanks to the generosity of her teacher.

Here's a few of the books she's filled her minutes with so far—perfect for the second-grade girl in your life:

Katie's New Shoes by Fran Manushkin

Hoop Queen from the Kylie Jean series by Marci Peschke

Repunzel Lets Her Hair Down by Tony Bradman

Cheesy but True

For the past three years, Julie and I have worked in a different town than the rest of our coworkers. The two of us have our own little office filled with books and posters. (We're very lucky that we get along or this could a HUGE nightmare.) It could have been a really bad idea to have us so isolated from the rest of the group. But thanks to a great boss and incredible coworkers, the adjustment was easy and gets better all the time.

Our coworkers go out of their way to include us. In fact, one of our designers just sent us T-shirts with a nice note. It was the best mail we've ever gotten! So in these tough times, just remember that it's important to be thankful for your job, but it's also important to be thankful for your coworkers.

Thanks B-ton folks!

No More Diapers! (We hope.)

Big things are on the horizon for this little girl.

We've entered a new phase at my house these days. It is a phase of hope and hard work and energy. It's a phase that has people swiftly stopping in the middle of activities in order to get a two-year-old where she needs to go. It is potty-training time.

Potty training means I get to spend extra time reading to my tot. We read about trucks and puppies and cows (or moos, as she calls them). And of course we read, Duck Goes Potty. I often wish that my daughter's enthusiasm for this particular book translated into real results. But if I'm patient, I'm sure it will.

Designer in the Spotlight

Hello world! As you know we have amazing talent in our team. In this post I wanted to do an informal, behind-the-scenes interview with our designer Emily. I'm sure you all have read her posts in our blog before. She is a super talented and extremely full of energy. She is been working with us for three years, doing all kinds of everything. Her designs range pre-k to middle grade; you name it, she is done it.

Emily has a passion for patterns, colors, and most of all, she is a book fanatic. =)

Here are some things I thought you would be interested in knowing about her. Know the people behind the books I always say. Here is your chance!

Emily, tell us what is your favorite book everybody needs to read and why?

"Do I have to pick just one?! Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, I love the complexity of the story, and the issues that are brought forth in the novel. Eugenides is a master at creating a sense of time and place."

What is your favorite book you have ever designed?

"Katie Woo, just because I was so involved in the development of her character. From the color of her glasses, to picking out the specific clothes that she should wear. It was a dream project! "

What is your favorite color?

"Pantone 2562"

What is your favorite food?

"Homemade Guacamole"

What is your favorite cartoon?

" I don’t really watch cartoons, but I do enjoy animated movies, especially anything by Hayao Miyazaki. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a favorite."

What is you love about your job?

"I was a huge book nerd growing up (still am!) so designing books as a job is pretty sweet. I can only hope that the books I help create will spark another child’s lifelong love of reading."

I asked Emily for picture of her. What did I get in my email instead? A super-duper cute picture of her cat Eva wearing a sweater! Too cute.

I'll leave you in Eva's good company. Have a wonderful weekend, blogosphere!

Big Sisters and Brothers

Right now we are working on a set of books written by the talented Fran Manushkin, who also wrote the wonderful Katie Woo. These are nice stories about why being a big sister or brother is so important. They walk the reader through some of the changes the older child can expect when the new baby arrives. Keep your eye out for these cute little books in the spring of 2012!